Fanatics and Sotheby’s recently concluded their second joint auction, dazzling collectors and enthusiasts with an impressive $2 million in sales from just 11 exclusive sports cards. The standout piece of the event was the Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Triple Logoman card, which fetched a staggering $600,000.
Dubbed the “Exquisite | Capsule Collection,” the auction featured a carefully curated selection of premium cards from Upper Deck’s renowned Exquisite series. Among the highlights were the LeBron James 2003 Rookie Patch Autograph, the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autograph, and the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Dual Logoman Patch Autograph.
The spotlight of the auction remained on basketball legends, particularly on the iconic figures of NBA history such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This emphasis underscored the enduring popularity and demand for cards featuring these legendary athletes within the sports card market.
This event comes after the success of their initial collaboration, “Holy Grails,” where a LeBron James Exquisite card was sold for $432,000. In this latest auction, another variant of the same card fetched $456,000, highlighting the consistent value of premium cards while also reflecting the evolving dynamics of the market. Interestingly, just a few years prior, the same card commanded prices exceeding $900,000, with certain editions surpassing $2 million in 2022.
The Upper Deck’s Exquisite series played a pivotal role in transforming the sports card industry through the introduction of rookie patch autographs, which have since become a staple among high-end collectors. Products like Panini’s National Treasures owe their popularity to the innovative approach initiated by Karvin Cheung through Exquisite in the early 2000s.
Fanatics remains committed to elevating the sports card hobby to new horizons. Through partnerships with prestigious institutions like Sotheby’s for these high-profile auctions, they aim to elevate sports cards into the realm of cultural artifacts deserving of display in art galleries and renowned auctions. This strategic initiative endeavors to redefine the perception surrounding sports cards, illustrating their value not only as collectibles but also as pieces of art worthy of admiration.